While there is new snow on the snowmobile trails and still some riding left this season, riders are urged to stop for moose and let them go on their way.Kristine Rines, New Hampshire's moose biologist, said the moose are "at the end of their rope" at this time of the season, and running to get away from snowmobilers might just kill them."They are stressed," she said, after a long winter not only battling the cold and snow but ticks, which are sapping them of their energy.She said snowmobilers should never drive moose along the trail."If you encounter them in the trail, turn off your engines and wait," for them to move on. "If they only move around the corner, wait again, " she said.Mortality rates for yearlings, which are part of a study, are now at 57 percent. Last year, the winter season ended with a 64 percent mortality rate, Rines said.The study area is south and east of the area where there is now snow. It is basically the body of land on the East Side of the Androscoggin River from Errol to Berlin.She said it appears they all died from ticks.Two adult have also died so far this winter.Pittsburg and West Stewartstown reported several snow storms this past week where more than five inches fell.Rines notes that the snow on the ground helps reduce the tick population but extends the winter stress of the moose. She said they choose to walk on the snowmobile trails, because it is easier than breaking trail in the snowy woods.

PITTSBURG, N.H. —

While there is new snow on the snowmobile trails and still some riding left this season, riders are urged to stop for moose and let them go on their way.

Kristine Rines, New Hampshire's moose biologist, said the moose are "at the end of their rope" at this time of the season, and running to get away from snowmobilers might just kill them.

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"They are stressed," she said, after a long winter not only battling the cold and snow but ticks, which are sapping them of their energy.

She said snowmobilers should never drive moose along the trail.

"If you encounter them in the trail, turn off your engines and wait," for them to move on. "If they only move around the corner, wait again, " she said.

Mortality rates for yearlings, which are part of a study, are now at 57 percent. Last year, the winter season ended with a 64 percent mortality rate, Rines said.

The study area is south and east of the area where there is now snow. It is basically the body of land on the East Side of the Androscoggin River from Errol to Berlin.

She said it appears they all died from ticks.

Two adult have also died so far this winter.

Pittsburg and West Stewartstown reported several snow storms this past week where more than five inches fell.

Rines notes that the snow on the ground helps reduce the tick population but extends the winter stress of the moose. She said they choose to walk on the snowmobile trails, because it is easier than breaking trail in the snowy woods.